Brace yourselves, Ohio. Two of Cincinnati’s most iconic brands—Graeter’s Ice Cream and Skyline Chili—have teamed up to create a dessert that has the internet collectively asking, “Why?” and “But seriously, why?” On Monday, the world will officially welcome Skyline Spice Ice Cream to its questionable culinary repertoire. It’s sweet. It’s spicy. It’s the most Ohio thing you’ve ever seen, say some.
The partnership has been in the works for a while, with speculation starting last October when Kroger accidentally listed a Skyline Chili-inspired Graeter’s flavor on its website. At the time, it was dismissed as concept art. But nope, it’s happening. “We spent months perfecting the recipe and are extremely happy to confirm the rumors are true—and the flavor will surprise you,” said Graeter’s CEO Richard Graeter to Cincinnati.
Here’s the rundown: Skyline Spice Ice Cream blends Graeter’s signature French Pot ice cream with Skyline’s chili spices and, wait for it, oyster crackers. Think of it as your late-night chili craving meeting your sweet tooth in the middle. No mustard or shredded cheese in this version, though, because there are apparently some limits to how far this goes.
Skyline CEO Dick Williams put it this way: “Graeter’s is to ice cream as Skyline is to chili—the best of the best.” He added that this is Skyline’s first dessert collab, so they knew it had to be something special.
Starting Monday, Skyline Spice will be available in 5-ounce scoops at Skyline restaurants. You can also grab pints or scoops at Graeter’s shops, or look for pints in select Kroger stores around Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis, and Louisville. If you’re outside the Midwest and somehow still want to try it, it’s available nationwide through Graeters.com.
As news of the chili-flavored ice cream spread, Reddit lit up with reactions ranging from mild confusion to full-blown disbelief. One user called it “the most Ohio thing I’ve ever seen,” which honestly feels like an understatement. Another joked, “This is what happens when Ohioans get snowed in for too long.”
Whether Skyline Spice Ice Cream is a stroke of Midwestern genius or a dare masquerading as dessert depends entirely on your willingness to mix two foods that were probably never meant to meet. But hey, Ohio, you’ve always marched to the beat of your own chili-stirring drum. Why stop now?
